Maddy turns 9!

To celebrate Maddy's birthday this year we decided to have a sleepover with just her two favorite BFFFLs (Best Friends Forever For Life). Sydney and Sabrina came over for the evening and we did crafts, watched a movie, had cake and played with her new Nintendo DS pet! Thank you so much Sydney and Sabrina and Amanda for making it such a special night...4th grade's around the corner....

Good Times at OBX...

We had an amazing time on vacation in the Outer Banks, NC (or OBX as the locals call it). The beach house was absolutely gorgeous - 3 floors, a hot tub, pool and elevator! Our island, Hatteras, had great beaches and scenery - definately worth the 13 hr drive.

The kids loved to do their crafts and journalled every day!

Scott and Mike took the kids kayaking while we stayed home at the 'compound'!

We spent most evenings drinking, singing and watching the sunsets on the balcony. Tom and Pia came over one night from Salvo and we broke out Rock Band...






The view from the 3rd floor balcony was breathtaking. This picture was taken at 5am at sunrise...

On the 4th, we went down to the beach to watch the fireworks. The kids made hats and wore tattoos and T-shirts. Here's Trish, Jayden and Dylan...

...and me and Maddy...

Great picture of Mike and Dylan in full force...
Happy Independence Day from the Earlys!

Dance Recital 2008

Last Sunday was the big night for the dance recital. Maddy, Mya and I had a great time on stage and the show was awesome! Thank you to everyone for your kind donations to the Joshua House!

















A big THANK YOU to our fantastic cinematographer, Mr. Richard Simard Snr.!!!

Proud to be an American and more...!

Wow! What a busy month! We had a big party on my birthday to celebrate my becoming an American on the 13th. We had Gail here, American and British food, a traditional British pub quiz and a special guest performance from 'Oldplay' (Jen on bass, Rich on drums, me on guitar and Mike on vocals). It was hilarious! The ceremony was on that Tuesday and I took my oath with 505 people, representing 77 different nations, at the convention center downtown. Unfortunately my camera ran out of batteries so no pictures: (. It was really very moving and I feel very lucky to finally be an American! Thank you so much for my congratulatory gifts and wishes!
Gail's visit was really nice as always. We got to go fishing, shopping and spent a day at the spa in Hyde Park which was a real treat. As ever I feel refocussed and reenergized after the visit!



Last weekend we went to St. Augustine, the oldest town in the United States. We saw the beach, the lighthouse, Spanish fort, oldest pharmacy and school in the country and Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum (which was my personal favorite - not very 'highbrow' I know). It's a great place to visit for a long weekend - some of the B & Bs look really cool and the little cafes and specialty stores downtown are great.


As the month ends, Madison and I are practising for our dance recital next week. I have raised over $400 for Joshua House so far - thank you to everyone for your generosity and wish us luck!
Clare "proud to be an American" Early!

Oldplay's debut CD coming to a store near you now!